Timeline: Holy Roman Empire

Jan 16, 1075

Pope Gregory VII Banned Lay Investiture

Lay Investiture is a cermony in which kings and noble appointed Church officals. Church reformers felt that kings should not have that power

Jan 16, 1075

Henry IV Calls a Meeting Because of the Lay Investiture Ban and is Excommunicated

A furious Henry IV callas a meeting with the German Bishops he had appointed. With their approval, the emperor ordered Gregory to step down from the papacy. Gregory then excommunicated Henry. Then, the German Bishops and Princes sided with the Pope.

Jan 16, 1077

Henry Crosses the Snowny Alps and Approached Pope Gregory

After Henry crosses the Alps, he comes to the Italian town of Cannossa. Then he approached Pope Gregory in the castle where he was staying. The Pope was allowed to forgive any sinner that begged him humbly. Gregory waited in the snow for three days before ending his excommunication. The Pope had humililated Henry and yet Henry felt trimphant and rushed home to punish the rebellious nobles,

Jan 16, 1122

Representatives of the Church and the Emperor Met in the German City of Worms (Wurms)

At this meeting they reached a comprise known as the Condorduct of Worms. This means, the Church could could appoint a Bishop, but the Emperor could veto the appointment.

Jan 17, 1152

Fredrick I was Elected by Seven Princes

The seven princes who elected the German king realized that Germany needed a strong ruler to keep the peace. That is why he was elected. His nicknname is Barbarossa for his red beard.

Jan 17, 1176

The Foot Soliders of the Lombard League Faced Fredick's Army of Mounted Knights at the Battle of Legnano

At this battle, the Italian foot soliders used crossbows to defeat the feudal kings for the first time in history.

Jan 17, 1177

Fredick Makes Peace with the Pope and Returns Home

Fredrick makes peace with the Pope and returns home to Germany. His defeat, had undetermined his authority with the German princes.

Jan 17, 1190

Fredick I Drowns

Fredick drowns and soon after his empire fell into pieces. German kings after Fredick, even his grandson Fredrick II continued their attempts to revive Charmlemagne empire and his alliance with the Church.

Mar 2, 2022

Charlemagne is Crowned as the Roman Emperor

Charlemagne was crowned the Roman Emperor because the Church sought to influence both spiritual and polictial matters.
Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne and he set the stage for future conflicts between popes and emperors. This would go on for centuries.

Mar 2, 2022

Otto the Great is Crowned King

Otto the Great followed the policies of Charlemagne. Otto fomerd an alliance with the Church. For example, to limit the nobles' strenght, he sought help from the bishops and he built up his power by gaining the support of bishops and abbots. He also dominated the Church of Germany.